Empty stands as nomads Pakistan launch Cup bid

Thousands of tickets go unsold for the first international match at the 35,000-capacity stadium.

HAMBANTOTA: Thousands of tickets went unsold for the Pakistan-Kenya clash at Mahinda Rajapakse stadium on Wednesday as cricket's nomads launched their World Cup bid.

The sparse crowd was a far cry from the Sri Lanka-Canada clash on Sunday, the first international match at the 35,000-capacity stadium, which saw thousands pack the stands.

"It would have been nice to have played before our home crowd, but because of unavoidable circumstances we are playing on neutral venues, which would see less crowds and less support, but that's not a problem," captain Shahid Afridi said on Tuesday.

Local organisers said thousands of tickets were left unsold as a non-Sri Lanka match, played on a working day, had not enthused the crowds but they said gates would be opened later to allow more fans in.

Pakistan's famous fan Chacha (Uncle) Cricket Suif Abdul Jalil turned up but was disappointed with the lack of fans.

"I covered a long distance to come here but there are not many people to mix their voices with me while I chant slogans," said Jalil, sponsored to attend all the Pakistan matches by a soft-drinks company.

"I hope people come in large numbers in the next matches," he said.

The organisers brought in schoolchildren for free to fill the stands.

"I have come from Tissamaharama town to support our friend country Pakistan and it's lovely to be at a World Cup match," said Ashen Thakshila, wearing an all-white school uniform.

"He (Afridi) is cute," said Chitra Kumari, who hails from nearby Tangalle. "I expect a lot of family friends coming once the gates are open and the entry is made free."

Some of the boys were given the task of beating drums to add to the atmosphere.

"You cannot compare the Sri Lankan match with any other match because people will throng the stadium whenever our team plays, but being a cricket fanatic I am going to all matches, whoever plays," said Gunapal Wickremasinghe, from Colombo.

"You will see a different atmosphere in the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match because a lot of friends from India and Pakistan are coming to watch the match," said Wickremasinghe.

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced the Sri Lanka-Pakistan match in Colombo on February 26 is already a sell-out.

The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said they expected a large number of fans coming from Pakistan this week.

"We are expecting a large number of fans from Pakistan... and for the match against Australia later in the World Cup and to add spice to cricket we are also celebrating a Pakistan week from February 20-26," said Daud Ehtesham, spokesman for the high commission.